Building energy storage and conversion apparatus

ABSTRACT

A building energy storage and conversion apparatus includes at least a control unit, an electric power conversion unit, an energy conversion unit and a thermoelectric conversion unit to regulate energy sources of the electric power conversion unit. The energy conversion unit generates cold/heat energy which is stored through a heat storage equipment (for cold/heat energy). The cold/heat energy can be released when needed. When the cold/heat energy is in a surplus state, it can be converted to electric power through the thermoelectric conversion unit or stored in the form of electric power. Thus energy resources can be converted and utilized in an optimal fashion to achieve energy self-sufficiency of a building. Moreover, energy exchange with other buildings in the neighborhood can be done to balance demand and supply. In the event of energy shortage, the needed electric power is obtained from a public power supply system to establish a regional energy exchange mechanism to save energy and achieve flexible use of energy resources inside and outside the building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a building energy storage andconversion apparatus and particularly to an apparatus to effectivelyintegrate various types of energy resources inside and outside abuilding and make optimal conversion and utilization thereof to supplyenergy required in the building to achieve onsite energyself-sufficiency and incorporate with other buildings in theneighborhood to balance energy demand and supply and obtain power frompublic power supply systems in case needed to establish a regionalenergy exchange mechanism to save energy and flexibly utilize the energyresources inside and outside the building.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The energy resources of the earth have been consumed by mankind in thepast one hundred years at an alarming speed. The accelerated andvoracious consumption of energy resources have caused global warming andclimatic change, and seriously threaten the survival of human being.Only through saving and more discreet use of energy can preventcatastrophe from falling to the mankind and keep the earth continuouslyrunning in a sustainable manner.

In order to solve the energy problems many types of renewable energieshave been developed, such as solar energy, wind power, fuel cells andthe like. One of typical applications is electric power systems adoptedon buildings. Refer to FIG. 1 for a renewable energy conversion approachnow widely adopted on buildings. It has an energy apparatus 11 toprovide renewable energy (such as solar energy, hydrogen fuel, windpower or the like) and generate electric power supply. It also has acontroller 14 to control a converter 13 to convert and select a buildingpower supply system 15 to supply electric power needed. The power supplymainly includes three types: first, power from the energy apparatus 11;second, power from a public power supply system 12; third, powersupplied simultaneously by the two types mentioned above. However, theknown energy structure at present still has shortcomings in practice,notably:

1. In a building, aside from lighting which consumes a greater amount ofenergy, air conditioning equipments which also consume a great deal ofenergy often are not included in energy saving items. Due to thebuilding is always thermally affected by external and internalenvironments, an uncomfortable heated feeling frequently occurs insidethe building. This problem has to be overcome through air conditioning.But the air conditioning, aside from providing a comfortable indoorenvironment, also generates thermal pollution such as consuming energyand producing waste heat. This not only creates ill consequences such asurban heat island effect and greenhouse effect, also seriouslycontaminates the eco-environment of the earth. It also results in hugewaste of energy resources. Moreover, the climate temperature graduallyrises due to the waste energy has been constantly discharged into theexternal environment. As a result, loading of air conditioningequipments increases and operation efficiency is lower.

2. The known energy schemes of a building mostly focus on conversion ofthe generated electric power without fully considering betterutilization of heat energy in the building and integration of thebuilding and electric power. This is a big loophole in energy resourcemanagement. As a result a great deal of investment has been made ongeneration of electric power and utilization thereof, but heat energy ofthe building is wasted. And the heat inside and outside the building isnot being treated as an energy resource and is poorly used. In manycases the heat inside and outside the building even is treated as wasteheat and discharged. Thus energy saving effect cannot be easily achievedin terms of energy resource management.

3. The renewable energy resources such as solar energy and wind powerare constrained by natural conditions, and are not reliable in terms ofelectricity generation and timing. According the present energy resourcemanagement schemes, they can only be used as power supply at thegenerating instant. In the event that sunlight or wind power issufficient, surplus electric power may be sold to the public powersupply system 12. But in peak load periods or during the energyapparatus 11 cannot meet power demand, users have to buy electric powerfrom the public power supply system 12. This results in a power pricedifference of selling the power at a lower price but buying the power ata higher price. In addition to energy loss incurred to the conversionsystem, the users do not enjoy their share of benefits. If a scheme canbe developed to allow the users to use the surplus electric poweronsite, or further convert and store, and balance energy demand andsupply with other buildings in the neighborhood to establish a regionalenergy exchange mechanism, and get supply from the public power supplysystem 12 for the shortage, a significant portion of power expenditurecan be saved.

Based on previous discussion it is obvious that the conventional energystructure does not have an integrated planning for the energy resourcesin a building. It also neglects the importance of effectively utilizingthe internal and external heat energy of the building and integration ofregional electric power. Although the Applicant has submitted R.O.C.patent application No. 91125414 aiming to flexibly use electric power inthe off-peak period and store energy through an air-conditioningequipment, and release heat energy during peak hours to balance electricpower usage periods, and ultimately save electric power and balance thepower in the peak and off-peak periods, it still does not fully utilizethe heat energy inside and outside the building, or fully integrateregional electric power to achieve flexible power usage. There are stillrooms for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a buildingenergy storage and conversion apparatus which includes at least acontrol unit, an electric power conversion unit, an energy conversionunit and a thermoelectric conversion unit. The electric power conversionunit has a power supply which can be regulated through the invention.The energy conversion unit generates cold and heat energy which can beutilized in an optimum fashion according power requirement. Theinvention also has a heat storage equipment to store heat (storingcold/heat energy), and release the cold/heat energy at a required timethrough. In the event that surplus cold/heat energy occurs thethermoelectric conversion unit can supply electric power. Thus energyresources can be converted and used in the optimum fashion. As a result,energy supply self-sufficiency can be achieved first for a building.Then balance of energy demand and supply can be accomplished with otherbuildings in the neighborhood to meet mutual requirements and establisha regional exchange mechanism to meet overall demand and supply.Finally, in the event that the self-generating electric power is notadequate, needed power can be obtained from a public electric powersupply system. Thus energy resources can be managed and utilized onsitein a centralized fashion to reduce transmission loss of remote energytransportation. And energy saving effect can be achieved, and energyresources inside and outside the building can be flexibly utilized.

In one aspect, the electric power conversion unit is controlled by thecontrol unit to control sources of various types of electric power. Theelectric power sources include at least one power supply, for instance,electric power provided by the public power supply system, electricpower provided by the energy apparatus such as electric power convertedfrom solar energy, electric power generated by wind power, electricpower generated by fuel cells and electric power converted from otherrenewable energy sources.

In another aspect the energy conversion unit includes a heat sourceequipment and a heat storage equipment. The heat source equipmentincludes at least a host, a heat generator, a cold generator and anintermediate heat exchanger. The heat storage equipment includes a coldstorage device and a heat storage device.

In yet another aspect, the thermoelectric conversion unit generateselectric power by adopting See-back temperature differencethermoelectric effect that generates the electric power by conversion ofthermoelectric effect of cold/heat energy temperature difference.

In yet another aspect, the energy storage and conversion apparatusfurther include an electricity storage unit to store surplus electricpower through batteries.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages ofthe invention will be more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional energy conversion scheme.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the structure of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the structure of the energy conversionunit of the invention.

FIG. 4 is flowchart-1 of the invention.

FIG. 5 is flowchart-2 of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the invention in operating conditions.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the structure of a second embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is flowchart-1 of the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is flowchart-2 of the second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the energy storage and conversion apparatus3 according to the invention includes at least a control unit 31, anelectric power conversion unit 32, an energy conversion unit 33 and athermoelectric conversion unit 34.

The control unit 31 aims to control operations of various unitsmentioned above to regulate and control optimal processing of storageand conversion of energy resources.

The electric power conversion unit 32 is controlled by the control unit31 to control various types of input sources of electric power andprovide electric power required by a building B. The power sourceincludes at least one power supply, such as electric power provided by apublic power supply system 42, or electric power provided by an energyapparatus 41 such as electric power converted from solar energy,electric power generated by wind power, electric power generated by fuelcells and electric power converted from other renewable energy sources.

The energy conversion unit 33 aims to generate cold energy and heatenergy and store heat (including cold energy and heat energy), andincludes at least a heat source equipment 331 and a heat storageequipment 332. The heat storage equipment 332 includes at least a coldstorage device 3321 and a heat storage device 3322.

The thermoelectric conversion unit 34 aims to generate electric power byadopting the See-back temperature difference thermoelectric effect togenerate electric power by conversion of thermoelectric effect ofcold/heat energy temperature difference.

The energy storage and conversion apparatus 3 uses the cold/heat energystored in the heat storage equipment 332, and directly supplies thestored cold/heat energy to a required cold environment C and a requiredheat environment H (the cold energy environment, depending on industrialrequirements, may be divided into a number of situations such as below30° C. for industrial use, 0-30° C. or 0-10° C. for commercial use;while heat energy environment may be divided into some other situationssuch as 50° C. or more for industrial use, and 40° C.-50° C. forcommercial and household uses). Moreover, when the stored cold/heatenergy is more than the use requirement, the surplus energy can beconverted through the thermoelectric conversion unit 34 by applyingSee-back temperature difference thermoelectric effect to generateelectric power. Therefore all or a designated portion of electric powerneeded in the building B can be supplied to achieve maximum utilizationof energy resources in the building.

Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 for process flow 5 of the invention (alsoreferring to FIGS. 2 and 6). When the energy apparatus 41 startsoperation (for instance, in the event of generating electric powerthrough solar energy, the energy apparatus 41 receives photo energy ofsunshine and converts to electric power), electric power E1 is generatedand transmitted to the electric power conversion unit 32, and thecontrol unit 31 compares a set value EOS of total electric powerrequirement of the building B with the electric power E1 generated bythe energy apparatus 41 (namely the control unit 31 is equipped withprocessing and detection capability). The process flow includes theprocedures as follow:

1. When the value of electric power E1 generated by the energy apparatus41 is greater than or equal to the set value EOS of total electric powerrequirement of the building B, namely E1≧EOS (step 501), the electricpower E1 generated by the energy apparatus 41 can meet total electricpower requirement EOS of the building B (generally is in off peakperiods and electric power requirement in the building is smaller, suchas clustered residences in daytime while people have gone to offices orother places). The surplus electric power has to be utilized. Hence thecontrol unit 31 activates the energy conversion unit 33, and judgeswhether heat energy Q generated by the energy conversion unit 33 isgreater than or equal to a total required heat energy set value QOS(step 502) of the building B, and the following processes are executedaccordingly:

(1) in a condition of Q≧QOS, the heat energy is surplus, and the heatstorage equipment 332 is activated to store heat (storing cold/heatenergy) (step 503); when the stored heat amount N reaches a heat storageset value NS, the control unit 31 activates the thermoelectricconversion unit 34 (steps 504 and 505), and the cold energy released bythe cold storage device 3321 and the heat energy released by the heatstorage device 3322 of the heat storage equipment 332 are being used togenerate electric power E2 by the thermoelectric conversion unit 34through See-back temperature difference thermoelectric effect. Thegenerated electric power E2 can be converted to DC or AC power to supplythe building B. In the event that the sum of the electric power E1generated by the energy apparatus 41 and the electric power E2 generatedby the thermoelectric conversion unit 34 is greater than or equal to theset value EOS of total electric power requirement of the building B,namely E1+E2≧EOS (step 506), the electric power is in a surplus state,and step 507 is executed to determine whether the surplus power to besold to the public power supply system 42 (step 507). If there is asales contract between the building owner and the public power supplysystem 42, step 508 is executed to sell the surplus electric power tothe public power supply system; if there is no sales contract, step 509is executed, namely electric power conversion is stopped.

(2) If the condition Q≧QOS does not exist, namely Q<QOS (step 510), thetotal required heat energy set value QOS of the building B is greaterthan the heat energy Q generated by the energy conversion unit 33, thenstep 511 is executed, and the heat source equipment 331 directlysupplies heat to the heat environment H (or cold environment c) of thebuilding B (including supply of heat energy or cold energy). In theevent that the stored heat amount N of the heat storage equipment 332has reached the heat storage set value NS, it starts to release heat(release cold/heat energy) (steps 512 and 413); on the other hand, ifthe stored heat amount N is less than the heat storage set value NS, theheat storage equipment 332 proceeds heat storing (storing cold/heatenergy) (step 514). Thus heat storing and releasing processes can beperformed at the same time. This is another feature of the invention.

2. In the event that the condition E1≧EOS does not exist, namely E1<EOS,the electric power E1 generated by the energy apparatus 41 cannot fullymeet the set value EOS of total electric power requirement of thebuilding B, and in the event that another condition E1+E2<EOS alsoexists, the set value EOS of total electric power requirement of thebuilding B is greater than the sum of the electric power E1 generated bythe energy apparatus 41 and electric power E2 generated by thethermoelectric conversion unit 34, then the public power supply system42 has to be included to supply the required electric power (steps 515and 516); meanwhile, supply and demand condition of heat energy has tobe determined. In the event that Q<QOS (step 517), the total requiredheat energy set value QOS of the building B is greater than the heatenergy Q generated by the energy conversion unit 33 (step 510), the heatsource equipment 331 directly supplies heat (step 511) to the heatenvironment H (or cold environment C) of the building B, includingsupply of heat energy or cold energy, and judges whether the stored heatamount N of the heat storage equipment 332 has reached the heat storageset value NS (step 513); if the stored heat amount N has reached theheat storage set value NS, the heat storage equipment 332 releases heat(releasing cold/heat energy) (step 513); on the other hand, if thestored heat amount N is less than the heat storage set value NS, theheat storage equipment 332 proceeds heat storing process (step 514).

The heat source equipment 331 includes at least a host 3311, a heatgenerator 3312, a cold generator 3313 and an intermediate heat exchanger3314 (referring to FIG. 3). The host 3311 aims to perform circulation ofrefrigerant. The heat generator 3312 is a heat exchanger to generateheat energy sent to the heat storage device 3322 via a first pump 335 tosupply heat energy required by the heat environment H. The coldgenerator 3313 is another heat exchanger to generate cold energy sent tothe cold storage device 3321 via a second pump 334 to supply cold energyrequired by the cold environment C. The intermediate heat exchanger 3314aids operation of the heat source equipment to regulate cold and heatenergy requirements. In the event that cold energy requirement QC isapproximate to heat energy requirement QH (namely QC≈QH), theintermediate heat exchanger 3314 suspends operation. In the event thatthe cold energy requirement QC is greater than the heat energyrequirement QH (namely QC>QH), the intermediate heat exchanger 3314discharges heat; in the event that the heat energy requirement QH isgreater than the cold energy requirement QC (namely QH>QC), theintermediate heat exchanger 3314 absorbs heat.

Refer to FIG. 7 for a second embodiment of the invention. The energystorage and conversion apparatus 3 further has an electricity storageunit 35 to store the surplus electric power generated by thethermoelectric conversion unit 34. Namely the electric power in the offpeak period is stored to supply and meet power demand in the peakperiod.

Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 9 (also FIG. 7) for the process flow 6 ofthe second embodiment. When the energy apparatus 41 starts operation(for instance, in the event of generating electric power through solarenergy, the energy apparatus 41 receives photo energy of sunshine andconverts to electric power), electric power E1 is generated andtransmitted to the electric power conversion unit 32, and the controlunit 31 compares the set value EOS of total electric power requirementof the building B with the electric power E1 generated by the energyapparatus 41. When the value of E1 is greater than or equal to the setvalue EOS, namely E1≧EOS (step 601), the electric power E1 generated bythe energy apparatus 41 can meet total electric power requirement of thebuilding B (generally is in the off peak periods). The surplus electricpower has to be utilized. Hence the control unit 31 activates the energyconversion unit 33, and judges whether heat energy Q generated by theenergy conversion unit 33 is greater than or equal to the total requiredheat energy set value QOS (step 602) of the building B, and thefollowing processes are executed accordingly:

(1) in the condition of Q≧QOS, the heat energy is surplus, and the heatstorage equipment 332 is activated to store heat (step 603); a judgmentalso is made on whether the stored heat energy N reaches the heatstorage set value NS (step 604); if the outcome is positive, the controlunit 31 activates the thermoelectric conversion unit 34, and cold energyreleased by the cold storage device 3321 and heat energy released by theheat storage device 3322 of the heat storage equipment 332 are beingused to generate electric power E2 by the thermoelectric conversion unit34 through See-back temperature difference thermoelectric effect. Theelectric power E2 generated by the thermoelectric conversion unit 34 canbe converted to DC or AC power (step 605) to be utilized. In the eventthat the sum of the electric power E1 generated by the energy apparatus41 and the electric power E2 generated by the thermoelectric conversionunit 34 is greater than or equal to the total electric power requirementEOS of the building B, the electric power is surplus, and the controlunit 31 activates the electricity storage unit 35 to store electricpower (steps 606 and 607), and judges whether an electric storage setvalue E3S has been reached (step 608); if the outcome is positive,another judgment is made on whether a contract for selling electricpower between the building owner and the public power supply system 42exists (steps 609); if the outcome also is positive, step 610 isexecuted to sell the surplus electric power to the public power supplysystem; if there is no sales contract, step 611 is executed, namelyelectric power conversion is stopped.

(2) If the condition Q≧QOS does not exist, namely Q<QOS (step 612), thetotal required heat energy set value QOS of the building B is greaterthan the total heat energy Q generated by the energy conversion unit 33,then step 613 is executed, and the heat source equipment 331 directlysupplies heat to the heat environment H (or cold environment C) of thebuilding B (including supply of heat energy or cold energy). In theevent that the stored heat amount N of the heat storage equipment 332has reached the heat storage set value NS, it starts to release heat(steps 614 and 615); on the other hand, if the stored heat amount N isless than the heat storage set value NS, the heat storage equipment 332proceeds heat storing process (step 616).

4. In the event that the condition E1≧EOS does not exist, namely E1<EOS,a number of situations may happen as follow:

-   -   (1) Judge whether E1+E2<EOS (step 617); if the outcome is        positive, the sum of the electric power E1 generated by the        energy apparatus 41 and electric power E2 generated by the        thermoelectric conversion unit 34 is less than the set value EOS        of total electric power requirement of the building B, then the        control unit 31 activates the electricity storage unit 35 to        release its stored electric power E3 (step 618);    -   (2) If E1+E2+E3<EOS, the electric power E1 generated by the        energy apparatus 41, electric power E2 generated by the        thermoelectric conversion unit 34 and electric power E3 of the        electricity storage unit 35 cannot fully meet the set value EOS        of total electric power requirement of the building B,        additional power supply has to be obtained from the public power        supply system 42 (steps 619 and 620), and a judgment of another        condition Q<QOS also is made (step 621); if the outcome is        positive, the total required heat energy set value QOS of the        building B is greater than or equal to the heat energy Q        generated by the energy conversion unit 33, namely Q<QOS (step        612), step 613 is executed, and the heat source equipment 331        directly supplies heat to the heat environment H (or cold        environment C) of the building B, including supply of heat        energy or cold energy, and judges whether the stored heat amount        N of the heat storage equipment 332 has reached the heat storage        set value NS (step 614); if the outcome is positive, the heat        storage equipment 332 releases heat (step 614); otherwise, if        the stored heat amount N is less than the heat storage set value        NS, the heat storage equipment 332 proceeds heat storing process        (step 616).

As a conclusion, the building energy storage and conversion apparatus ofthe invention can regulate power supply of the electric power conversionunit, and use the cold/heat energy generated by the energy conversionunit, and store heat (cold/heat energy) through the heat storageequipment. In the event of requiring cold/heat energy, cold/heat energycan be released as desired. When heat energy is in a surplus state,electric power generation can be performed through the thermoelectricconversion unit. In the event that the electric power is surplus, theextra electric power can be stored in the electricity storage unit tosupply the peak period. Hence the invention can manage diversifiedenergy resources onsite in a centralized fashion to accomplish onsiteself-sufficiency and integrate effectively. Thus energy resources insideand outside the building can be converted and utilized in an optimalfashion to save energy and flexibly deployed.

1. A building energy storage and conversion apparatus, comprising atleast a control unit, an electric power conversion unit, an energyconversion unit and a thermoelectric conversion unit, wherein: thecontrol unit controls operations of said various units to regulate andcontrol storing and conversion of energy resources; the electric powerconversion unit is controlled by the control unit to control inputsources of electric power that include at least one power supply; theenergy conversion unit generates cold energy and heat energy and storeheat and includes at least a heat source equipment and a heat storageequipment; and the thermoelectric conversion unit generates electricpower by adopting See-back temperature difference thermoelectric effectto generate the electric power by converting the thermoelectric effectof cold energy and heat energy temperature difference.
 2. The buildingenergy storage and conversion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heatstorage equipment includes at least a cold storage device and a heatstorage device.
 3. The building energy storage and conversion apparatusof claim 1 further having an electricity storage unit to store surpluselectric power.
 4. The building energy storage and conversion apparatusof claim 1, wherein the heat source equipment includes at least a host,a heat generator, a cold generator and an intermediate heat exchanger.5. The building energy storage and conversion apparatus of claim 1,wherein the sources of electric power of the electric power conversionunit includes electric power supplied by an energy apparatus.